Why you should work for a startup over a corporate

Corporations like Google, Facebook and Airbnb are some of the most coveted workplaces in the world and consistently top the best places to work lists.

It’s not too surprising; established companies have a lot to offer employees; an array of perks and benefits, security, clearly defined progression opportunities and a comfortable salary.

Can a startup offer you health insurance, a company car or unlimited free food? Probably not. More often than not working at a startup means long hours, less benefits and no long term contracts. But what startups lack in shiny perks, they make up for in opportunity.

Here’s 6 reasons you should work for a startup over a larger company.

More autonomy
Being given the freedom to work independently is pretty much guaranteed at a startup, in fact it’s expected that you will be a self-starter and ready to hit the ground running. Startups afford you the opportunity to take on more responsibility and lead projects without necessarily having a huge amount of experience. You get to rise up the ranks quicker too as there are less rigid managerial structures and promotion processes. If you’re ambitious, hardworking and talented you can easily move from a junior position to a senior one, or even segue to a different type of role altogether. Startups are a great place to discover where your strengths and passions lie and carve out your own role.

Varied experience
Another key benefit of working in a startup over a corporate is the opportunity to build a wider set of skills. You get exposure to multiple elements of the business rather than being limited to a particular job description or title. Of course this can be a big challenge for someone inexperienced in a startup environment and can even be a bit overwhelming at times. However, if you can adapt to the fast pace, you’ll be gaining invaluable experience and knowledge that would take much longer to acquire in a corporate setting.

Greater impact
Each employee in a startup is an integral part of the operation with the ability to directly influence the success of the business. While it’s undoubtedly a lot more pressure, it’s also a lot more satisfaction when you can truly see the fruits of your labour. You feel a greater sense of purpose in your job and value in your work.

You’re also not bound by the bureaucracy of huge companies layered with junior, middle, upper and supreme management and so it’s much easier to get your ideas or suggestions over the line. While startups don’t hold the monopoly on creative thinking, they do allow it to flourish as there is less chance of projects being diluted by multiple approval processes.

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Tight-knit teams
The working environment of a startup breeds a united team, it’s not down to some magical cultural formula, it’s down to necessity. A startup team spends so much time together (usually in close quarters) that they need to be in tune with one another’s skillsets, preferred style of communication and workload limitations. Employees of a startup enjoy a naturally cohesive team as they are more likely to be strongly aligned with the mission of the company and invested in its success. Working in a close team boosts morale and productivity as members are more collaborative and understanding of one another’s needs.

Excitement
Startups by their nature are fast moving, dynamic and innovative. There’ll always be new opportunities and challenges to sink your teeth into and the working environment rarely stales. Being part of the startup community also means you’ll meet a number of inspiring entrepreneurs and benefit from the networking events and supports on offer. The connections you make through working in a startup will stand to you at every stage of your career.

You become more employable
Candidates who have worked in startups are highly sought after for their work ethic, self-motivation and resilience. Regardless of the role or industry, an employee who can bring determination and accountability to a company will always be a desirable prospect for hiring managers.